IDF uncovers ‘complex’ 4.3-mile Hamas tunnel network in Gaza’s south

[Twiglets1]

The IDF said on Thursday it had uncovered one of the largest and most complex Hamas tunnel networks found so far in Gaza, a route stretching more than 4.3 miles and descending roughly 82 feet. A video of the tunnel is available to watch on X and on various websites including JNS in the link below.

The underground route, which the military said ran under “a densely populated Rafah neighborhood and through an UNRWA compound, mosques, clinics, kindergartens and schools,” included 80 hideouts.

Defence Minister Israel Katz tweeted on Thursday, “This is the tunnel where Lt. Hadar Goldin was held. More than 8 kilometers and 80 (!) bedrooms.

“We must destroy the underground terror city that Hamas built in Gaza. The IDF is working non-stop to carry out the mission,” continued Katz, who added, “Until the last tunnel.”

“The major challenge for Israel after the [first] stage of returning the hostages will be the destruction of all of Hamas’s terror tunnels in Gaza, both directly by the IDF and through the international mechanism that will be established under U.S. leadership and oversight,” Katz tweeted.

“This is the primary meaning of implementing the agreed principle of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip and disarming Hamas,” wrote the defence minister. “I have instructed the IDF to prepare to carry out the mission.”

www.jns.org/idf-uncovers-complex-4-3-mile-hamas-tunnel-network-in-gazas-south/

I think that statement could be equally applied to Israel what a pity they didn’t put all the aid they received towards improving Palestinian lives instead of destroying them:

”Israel Is the Largest Cumulative Recipient of U.S. Aid Since 1946
Over 300 billion of American taxpayers money, think what could have been done with that

I have several friends and family members who travel to London hospitals for treatment, so not just serving Greater London, or even just the UK.

Look at Israel, look at Gaza, are you honestly saying they look the same in terms of what has been achieved with the money.

Israel spent a lot of theirs on defence. Hamas spent most of theirs on preparing to attack Israel again. Big mistake.

The vast majority of US military aid to protect Israel from ongoing military threats. Israel is perfectly economically self sufficient. Why on earth should Israel have provided aid to Palestinian governments committed to destroying them? Israel has actively engaged in humanitarian aid abroad particularly sharing its medical and search and rescue expertise.

The answer is - no logical reason at all why this would happen.

Its mind boggling how Israel is consistently expected to do things that no other country is expected to do. While of course Israel has facilitated billions of dollars of aid going into Palestinian territories and there are plenty of Israeli ngos/charities also working there. Oded Lifschitz, brutally abducted and murdered by Hamas worked for Road to Recovery a charity transporting Palestinians to medical appointments.

There have been miles of deep tunnels under Gaza for over 2,500 years. They have not all been built since 2005 when Hamas took control. I do know that between 1967 and 2005, Israel also built more tunnels under Gaza. Whatever tunnels Hamas added, would be a tiny number.

These tunnels were likely not the product of aid money given their antiquity and the fact that aid money was audited to ensure it did not end up financing terrorism.

In addition 80ft under ground and anyone on the surface would have no idea there would be tunnels under them. The typical London tube station & track is the same depth undergound (24m).

Destoying the tunnels is a bit like destroying the London Underground. It can be done without demolishing buildings on the surface. I doubt IDF will bother themselves with preserving any buildings. Finally, destroying tunnels isn’t going to destory Hamas or stop terrorism. To think it would is incredibly naive.

Did anyone say destroying tunnels would destroy Hamas? Obviously not. It would destroy infrastructure that facilitates Hamas.

80ft under ground and anyone on the surface would have no idea there would be tunnels under them.
Exactly, they facilitate the movement of people arms and contraband undetected above ground. They do notice them when the entrances/exits pop up in unexpected places though.

aid money was audited to ensure it did not end up financing terrorism. 😂

Antiquity 😂yes, reinforced concrete was regularly used by the Romans.

Of course a lot of the tunnels were built by Hamas.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67097124

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/GAZA-TUNNELS/gkvldmzorvb/

@SharonEllis
Antiquity 😂yes, reinforced concrete was regularly used by the Romans.

As a matter of fact, the Romans invented reinforced and waterproof concrete. Yes they regularly used it so the joke is on you. Alexander the Great almost couldn’t conquer Gaza in the 300s BC when he laid siege to it because of the tunnels. They were so numerous that he actually wrote long complaints about them in his dispatches.

But at any rate, your photo only shows a tunnel that has been lined with concrete which could have happened at any time. Concrete isn’t evidence of post 2005 construction. There is no indication that the tunnel is newly built.

Yes I know the Romans had a form of concrete - but the tunnels used by Hamas at the moment are NOT Roman concrete tunnels. Give me strength.

I take it you didn't read the articles about The extent of building tunnels over the last twenty odd years.

Hm, you knew the Romans regularly used concrete and yet you said they did not with a laughing emoji. It wasn’t a “form” of concrete. Their concrete is the most durable known to man even today. It actually gets stronger for the first century after it is laid. Modern concrete is not as durable.

I also never said all the tunnels were “Roman” either. No idea why you think of Romans as the only people in antiquity capable of building tunnels.

I did indeed read those articles as well as a complete history of Gaza and its tunnels since 500 BC. I am guessing you did not bother to go back further than 20yrs. So you won’t know about the tunnel and bunker construction by Israel from 1967-2000 under Gaza that peaked in the 1980s. You will have missed everything from 500 BC to 2005 AD.

And I have also read about the engineering of tunnel construction - which is how I can tell the picture you posted is of a tunnel that has been lined with concrete which could have happened years, decades, or centuries after its initial construction and use.

It’s not strength you need but a few books to give you a bit more depth on the topic than what a few articles can tell you.

Oh please stop with the distraction. People have built tunnels for centuries. That is not news. The Romans both built tunnels and had concrete. That is not news.

The tunnels under Gaza go back several decades. That is not news. They were used initially for smuggling and very lucrative as the goods smuggled were taxed But all reputable sources show that the tunnels were vastly expanded in scale extent and sophistication more recently, expressly to facilitate military attacks on Israel.

The tunnels under Gaza go back to 500 BC according to historical evidence. It’s far more than a “few decades”

It’s not a distraction to point out to posters thinking these are all shiny new tunnels built by Hamas with aid money that over 90% of the cost of building these tunnels long predates the existence of Hamas’ rule of 20yrs or Israel’s on site occupation of 38yrs even though both did add a few new tunnels and underground bunkers.

Their use has always been military- starting in the 300s BC to fight the invasion and occupation of Alexander the Great. The smuggling came after. That’s not what they were “initially” used for. Again you are acting like they didn’t exist before 1967 and are referencing the smuggling over the border with Egypt.

Your “all reputable sources” is bollocks when it is obvious you’ve only read a handful of news articles. Try reading actual history books and archaeological surveys by scientists that aren’t being published by biased media sources.

i think she did a history degree.

What proportion of the over 350 miles of tunnels under Gaza go back to 500 BC?
What’s the source for your claim that “over 90% of the cost of building these tunnels long predates the existence of Hamas’ rule of 20yrs or Israel’s on site occupation of 38yrs”?

Why does it matter? Most people make outrageous claims on this forum. Why not just roll with it?

Of course it matters 😵‍💫

Why would anyone from Gaza even need to go to Israel for any treatment when they had 36 hospitals themselves. Not wanting to detract from the kindness of Israel but surely someone at some point internationally thought “hang on, why are they asking for aid to build YET ANOTHER hospital?”. This is part of the reason why I don’t want any taxpayer money going to Gaza’s rebuild. It won’t be sensible but instead by driven by emotions.

Because at the end of the day we have all picked a side. Nothing I, you or anyone else is going to convince the other side that they are wrong. If you want to bang your head against a brick wall, be my guest. It matters, but it’s not going to work.

Sadly Its only recent history that's relevant here though. I am looking forward to the fully referenced history of Hamas attacking Israel from ancient Roman tunnels.

Happy days!

If only you read some “actual history books” 😉

Its more entertaining than some of the nonsense we have to read on here.

I hope you are including yourself in that.